HINTS TO OPERATORS 199 



ouce or twice tliat complete control has been obtained. Those gentlemen, 

 therefore, whc' wish to try the experiment for themselves will do well to 

 avoid any risk of a repetition, which they may not be able to manage with 

 the dexterity of the great American tamer. Let them wait till the horse is 

 thoroughly tired, and then only interfere to such an extent as to keep him 

 leaning towards their side, by laying hold of the right rein instead of the 

 left, as shown in the engraving at page 198; and drawing the head away 

 from themselves. Mr. Rarey generally used the right hand for this purpose, 

 when he wished to throw his patient before he was exhausted, because he 

 could in that way employ more force ; and, at the same time, his dexterity 

 was such, that, if a bound was made, he was always ready to hold the strap 

 attached to the off foot before the horse could get fairly on his hind-legs. 

 In whichever way the task is accomplished, the effect is apparently the 

 same — the horse lies extended on liis side, panting and sweating, in the 

 most exhausted condition : but, of course, showing more of these symptoms 

 of distress the longer he has been kept resisting the restraints put upon 

 him. Now comes the test of the practical ability of the operator; for 

 whereas before he had only plain directions to carry out, he has at this 

 stage to judge how far his efforts are successful. If he takes off the straps 

 too soon, the patient is patient no longer, but rises rapidly, and perhaps 

 rewards him by planting a severe blow on his ribs. It is here that Mr. 

 Rarey displayed his great skill to perfection. Apparently by intuition, he 

 knew when his pupil was mastered ; but, as he was always ready to explain, 

 it was really by two symptoms that he judged whether he had gained the 

 mastery or not. One of these was the expression of the eye, which it 

 would be difficult to describe, and which experience alone could adequately 

 convey to those who wish to understand it ; but the other, being readily 

 tested, is within the reach of every one. This consists in the entire 

 flaccidity of the muscles of the neck and limbs ; and until this is ascertained 

 to have been obtained, the straps should not be entirely removed. Mr. 

 Rarey's plan of proceeding at this stage was the following. A second or 

 two after the horse went down, he let him raise his head, and then dragged 

 it down again to the ground by the mane. On repeating this once, twice, 

 or thrice, the animal would give in as far as that part was concerned ; and 

 being rewarded with a pat of the hand, the head remained still on the 

 ground, and that part was "gentled." Next removing the leg-straps, the 

 fore-legs were separately gently rubbed downwards; and on being lifted, 

 and let fall, as if dead, they also were passed as in a similar satisfactory 

 state. The operator then going round by the back, pi'oceeded to gentle the 

 hind limbs ; and though, in vicious horses, he sometimes had narrow escapes 

 of being kicked, yet, by his great activity and clever mode of seizing his 

 opportunity, he always succeeded in keeping out of harm's way. Finally, 

 the operator passed in front of the legs, and performed all the usual " clap- 

 traps " of putting his head between them, knocking the hind and fore shoes 

 together, standing on the body, etc. "While in this state, the horse lies in 

 the attitude and with the expression which is very well represented in the 

 accompanying sketch, and there he will gladly lie as long as he is permitted 

 to do so. But he is not to be allowed to recruit his powers ; and as soon 

 as he had gone through the tricks which I have described, Mr. Rarey made 

 him rise, and then showed that the power which he had gained was not lost 



